At Monday's Business Matters debate, asbestos lawyer Lamont McClure managed to take shots at both of his opponents, damaging them to some extent. Though he did land some hay makers, he also came off as a bit of a bully ... with a beet red face. Not exactly the statesman that Northampton County voters like to see in their County Executives. But that doesn't trouble McClure one bit. You see, he's not really running for Executive. I believe the office he really wants is District Attorney, and this Exec race will drive up his name recognition, win or lose.
When McClure does run for DA, it will only be because John Morganelli is ready to step aside. Morganelli is certainly the best DA I've ever seen, and that office is his as long as he wants it. But Morganelli has his eyes on the Lieutenant Governor's race, or might just want to finish his career in private practice. Morganelli's hand-picked successor will be McClure.
Although Morganelli is officially neutral in the Exec race, it's no secret that he and McClure are very friendly. When Morganelli ran for Attorney General in 2000, McClure came down from his home in the coal regions to work the race. He was paid $900 for room expense and a nearly equal amount to work the phones. After that race was over, McClure worked briefly in the DA's office, doing forfeitures. McClure eventually landed a job with Baltimore lawyer Peter Angelos, a major Morganelli campaign donor who opened an office in Bethlehem. McClure's wife would land a job with Morganelli, and John would become Godfather to their son.
It appears that what McClure would really like is to be John Morganelli's successor.
I have not discussed this with McClure or Morganelli. McClure would ignore me, and John would just laugh.
But this makes sense, which probably means I'm wrong.
32 comments:
Not as far fetched as you might think Bernie. McClure is an oppourtunist of the first rank. He doesn`t really care about the County Executive position as indicated by his lack of attendance at meetings. He is a turkey vulture waiting for the bones to appear to pick over.The latest pile of bones he stumbled on was Gracedale ; all he had to do was joing the gang of thugs and pick up their cause . He had no causes on Council until he smelled the bones at Gracedale. Speaking of Gracedale poor John Callahan , he got suckered into signing a letter to keep Gracedale open and then the gang beat him up and now bullies him as an unworthy candidate. Proof that he doesn`t have the smarts or wisdom for the job.
And then Bernie, aliens land in Northampton County, lol. Seriously Bernie, you mean this man is going through all of this time and expense and has recruited scores of folks to work for his campaign and he is doing it all so he can eventually run for DA? Really? 8
He would not be the first person to run for office to get noticed.
What else is new? Maybe he is. We all know Cunningham ran for county executive to run for Governor. Callahan wants to be Governor so he needs a position to run from as well. He doesn't give a crap about the county but I don't fault hi, it is what these guys do.
They are all cheap whores who want to be high end escorts.
Personally, I think you are correct Bernie, especially because he is not spending a lot of his own money. But what happens if he wins???
But here is the real hum dinger, I think he would suck as the DA. I really do not think he has the temperament or the work ethic to be an efficient DA. And say what you want about Morganelli, at least people like him. Outside of the COAF people, no one and I mean NO ONE, likes McClure. He is full of hot air. And that is what they think whenever he opens up his mouth. That and he is a first rate opportunist for himself only.
If he was DA, that office would suck and I would love to see the lulu's he would hire to be ADA's.
It will be very hard to replace Morganelli. McClure is not even close.
Like there won't be a thousand attorneys going for that job. McClure may even have trouble winning re-election to his seat in District three.
That is more likely one motive. This was a crap shoot for him. Timing, is everytihg. He rode the right horse, he has grassroots and people power. Even if he doesn't deserve it, he has it.
So if he wins executive, Hooray for him. If he loses, he boosts his chances at re-election for his council seat, and ups his name recognition countywide.
Seems like a win-win to me. No brainer!
Mom taught us to be careful with who we associate. I've long suspected Morganelli is a slimy political operator. His closeness to oily McClure confirms my suspicions and validates Mom's admonishment. Morganelli's another one who goes to church to be seen, shakes lots of hands, and mouths the words "Lord, hear our prayer" when the petition is read to pray for elected officials who will uphold the sanctity of life from conception until natural death. Panella does this at St. Jane's and was leveled by his pastor for maintaining the political ruse. Morganelli, Panella, McClure are all heads of the same phony ass.
What happened to McClure's grandstanding tactic to lead a HRC commission? Everyone seems to have forgotten about that. He is a windbag do-nothing.
You might be right Bernie with your 1:12 comment. Look at Willie Reynolds. Here's is a good councilman with some qualifications to run for mayor (He's young and energetic,lol) and he was talked into running for mayor by John Callahan. I'm sure he was told that even if he doesn't win , it will up his profile. However, Callahan probably didn't expect Donchez to slam Reynolds..That certainly didn't help Reynold's profile, lol.
(Although I like the hat) So sometimes running for one office while thinking it will help your profile for another can backfire. I seriously doubt McClure is doing so but he can look at the Reynolds's campaign for an example of why not to do it.
If McClure gets on Callahan's radar things might get nasty. Or should I say will get nasty with the devilish Jim Hickey looming in the background..8
I don't know where you get these ideas, but you are right on with this one. No attorney would take tens of thousands of dollars loss in pay to run for a job that pays only a fraction of what he now makes. McClure is not independently wealthy so he is looking further down the road. Politics is 99 percent of being at the right place at the right time. McClure is at the right place at the right time. He is a one issue candidate and thinks he can ride Gracedale all the way to the Executives Chair. I don't think so. Give me a candidate that talks real issues and He will earn my vote. Gracedale is a done deal. Now lets talk about economic development, jobs, bridges and roads, land preservation, and our failing airport.
If McClure runs for DA the County ACO would beat him!
I have not heard any talk of running for DA just cleaning up an 8 year mess left by the current executive.
No post about how Callahan plans to run for Governor or Lt. Governor shortly after this race is over. He is telling everyone who will listen so has Hickey. Hell Bernie I am sure he has even told you that is the grand plan.
The last thing this county needs is a no show exec. Look at what the last 7 almost 8 uears has gotten us!
"McClure may even have trouble winning re-election to his seat in District three."
Actually, he will. Lots of R votes. He barely won in the last two elections against underfunded and unknown candidate. Of course, McClure himself is unknown. He came here in 2000 to work a political campaign, and in 20001 made his first run for county council. He is not even from this area, moves in, and wants to take over.
" No post about how Callahan plans to run for Governor or Lt. Governor shortly after this race is over. He is telling everyone who will listen so has Hickey."
He has not said that to me. Nor has Hickey. Callahan lives in the wrng area from which to mount a gubernatorial campaign.
" However, Callahan probably didn't expect Donchez to slam Reynolds..That certainly didn't help Reynold's profile, lol"
Keep thinking the slam piece hurt Donchez...everybody knows it hurt him bad. This is spin. Everybody in Bethlehem is talking about how they thought Bob was a nice guy. Many undecideds moved to Reynolds as a result.
It is going to be great having a mayor in Bethlehem like Donchez who is not looking to the Mayors seat as a stepping stone. We all know McClure is using the Executives seat as a stepping stone. Callahan using the executive seat as a stepping stone. As for Reibman, his career is over. He's just to dumb to know it.
Anon 11:10, Yeah Mayor Morganelli will do great things in the city.
"Or should I say will get nasty with the devilish Jim Hickey looming in the background..8"
cue ominous music
I like how you write things up, "asbestos lawyyer Lamont McClure". Would tyhat be like, "drug salesman John Callahan"?
It would be if it were true. For the last ten years, Callahan has been the Mayor of Bethlehem. McClure, for the past ten years, has been an asbestos lawyer. Is he ashamed of that?
He should be.
Asbestos is nasty stuff, shouldn't people adversely affected by it be entitled to compensation when the exposure was preventable?
It bothers his supporters that I refer to him as an asbestos lawyer, but that's what he is.
So let me get this straight, Mr Mclure is a bully because he debated tenaciously, but your pal Ron is not a bully. Angle made bullying the cornerstone of both his business and political life, but that's just fine by you! Lamont bad bully, Ron good bully ( only because of your man crush)
I've never said Ron is not a bully. He can bully people and would be a great DA.
"post about how Callahan plans to run for Governor or Lt. Governor shortly after this race is over. He is telling everyone who will listen so has Hickey"
no-they have not.
Good point 6:35 pm
It might bother you when they call you a drunken disbarred lawyer, but thats who you are.
It doesn't bother me. Is an asbestos lawyer worse?
Only if hes defending asbestos. ..but you defend Ron Angle. Id feel better about the asbestos.
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